Dressing for Success at Penn Highlands

April 18, 2011|By SANDY WOJCIK | Daily American Correspondent

Photo by Sandy Wojcik

The members of the Windber Business and Professional Women’s organization held its 5th annual Dressing for Success, a free clothing giveaway for both men and women, on Tuesday and Wednesday at Penn Highlands Community College.

Joanne Ursino the chairwoman of the event said the group holds the free clothing giveaway each year, “to help students attain the proper clothing they may need for interviews and jobs.” She added that because of rising costs “they may not be able to purchase the clothing they may need and afford to go to school.”

All the clothing given away was collected from members of the community who wanted to help.

“Everything is clean and gently worn, suited for professionals,” said Ursino. “We do not put a limit on the amount of clothing a student my want to take so they can actually fill their wardrobe.”

She laughed when she said a student stopped in early on the first day and said he need a sports coat immediately.

“I think he had a job interview that day and luckily we had one that fit him,” she said.

Ursino estimated he was just one of the 50 or more students who took advantage of the clothing.

“We also had scrubs for those entering the medical field that were collected at Windber Medical Center,” she said.

Sue Brugh, the director of student activities at Penn Highlands said the clothing giveaway, “was great. It was nice to be able to give to our college community to assist them with their professional clothing needs for interviews, internships and the workplace.”